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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-08 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 8, 1999 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2' AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- January 11, 1999. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5' REPORTS ao Director Dock Foreman ITEM OLD BUSINESS ao Potter's Marsh Update Cunningham Park Update ITEM 7' NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8: COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9' INFORMATION a. Kenai City Council Action Agendas of January 20 and February 3, 1999. b. 1 / 6 / 99 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge letter regarding Boardwalk Extension Assistance. ITEM 10' ADJOURNMENT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION FEBRUARY 8, 1998- 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY HALL CHAIRMAN WILL JAHRIG~ PRESIDING *** MINUTES *** 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Jahrig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Werner-Quade, Clay, Thompson, Eldridge, Jahrig, McCune (arrived 7'05 p.m.) Members Absent: Spracher Also Present: Councilman James Bookey, III, Public Works Manager Keith Kornelis, Contract Secretary Victoria Askin 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA THOMPSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY CLAY. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS WRITTEN. ® APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting of January 11, 1999 CLAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 11~ 1999. MOTION SECONDED BY WERNER-~UADE. MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None 5. REPORTS Director's Report Kornelis' stated his report would consist of Old Business items. b. Dock Foreman - None 7. OLD BUSINESS Potters' Marsh Update Kornelis reported he had drawings of the Potters' Marsh project. The 1987 cost estimate was $213 / ft to $223 / ft. be Jahrig asked if costs were included with the drawings. Kornelis answered affirmatively and the estimate was $113,600 for 510 feet. McCune asked if there was donated labor. Kornelis stated originally there was volunteer labor but this estimate was for the later phase. The Commission members retired to the table to review the drawings Kornelis had brought. General discussion ensued around the required use of pressure treated wood and the fact that 2" x 8" decking was used, resulting in labor costs being high. Clay related he had fished at the Russian River where a more composite type of fiberglass was used to encourage growth underneath the walks. The considerable increase in cost was discussed. Bookey stated he saw a letter that said the Department of Interior may be interested in this project. Kornelis answered he thought it would result in technical assistance, but substantially little financial help. Jahrig felt something was needed here to bring people in the spring. Clay thought this would be a great bird observation area. Eldridge agreed, stating interest from the Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited may result in some bird boxes being built in the area for bird watching. Kornelis stated this project would be on the next capital improvement request list. Bookey felt the Commission should pursue any federal funding available. Kornelis added, he spoke at a water quality meeting and met a Department of Interior representative who was interested in the project and thought they could assist some, but not a lot. Bookey stated he would like follow-up of what avenues to explore. Eldridge suggested the project be referred to area legislators and see if some funding could be acquired. Discussion ensued with agreement Kornelis should follow up and see what can be done. Cunningham Park Update Kornelis reported Wm. Nelson & Associates had presented the drawing the Commission had reviewed to the Council with the Commission's recommendations. He added, the Council would like to scale back the boat launch to a hand retrieval boat launch instead of power boat launch. Shortly after that, Kornelis added, he and Nelson met with the Kenai River Center, AK Dept. of Fish & Game, Kenai Peninsula Borough, U. S. Fish & Wildlife and State KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING February 8, 1999 Page 2 Parks to review the drawings and get suggestions. They stated the pathway that went along the edge in front of the viewing platform was not according to regulations. It would require a special permit and even then, probably acquiring of the permit wouldn't be possible. Gravel paths within 50' of the high water mark require a special permit. The agencies then discussed moving the handicapped ramp to be used in conjunction with the hand-boat launch. Nelson did a preliminary drawing which Kornelis distributed. It took the handicapped ramp in a circular pattern because there has to be a 12' 1 pitch for wheelchairs. The map also showed decorative steps to access the ramp so people in the parking lot could use the same path or they could go to the observation ramp. Jahrig asked if it was going to be a non-trailerable boat launch now. Kornelis answered affirmatively. Bookey stated, with the new design, it wouldn't be possible to get a trailerable boat down the ramp. Clay asked if this was now going to be an area for handicapped persons wanting to fish. Kornelis answered it would be hand-boat loading and unloading only and would be for rod and reel fishing along the bank with handicap access. General discussion ensued regarding the changes to the original drawing, the handicapped access aspect, and untrailerable boat launch. Agreement was reached that the Commission liked the new concept of Cunningham Park much better. Kornelis went on to state he would continue working with Nelson on the design. Also permits will be submitted this winter to the respective regulatory agencies and he would bring the new drawings to the next meeting. Kornelis also stated some improvements needed to be done to the parking lot itself. As time permits, most of the work will be done imhouse by the street crew. They would still have to purchase gravel but will be done more inexpensively than a contract bid with Davis-Bacon wages. Bookey stated he felt Cunningham Park was one of the community's best kept secrets. The commencement of this project will certainly justify putting money into improving it. Birch Island Update Eldridge asked for an update on the Birch Island and Erosion Projects. KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING February 8, 1999 Page 3 ® Se Kornelis reported Birch Island was submitted to the regional office of DOT and it passed it with fairly high recommendation. The State then reviews all the projects submitted by each region. This region submitted the Birch Island Project and the Overland Project from Mission to the Bicentennial Center. Kornelis reported, both received pretty high priority points by the State. The Birch Island Project cost was estimated at $1.3 million and will be constructed by AK Dept. of Natural Resources and State Parks. Kornelis noted, he received the updated STIP list that is up for public review until sometime in March. The review committee would be coming to Kenai on February 16 to discuss all the Kenai Peninsula Borough projects with the administration. Regarding the Bluff Erosion Project, Kornelis indicated he has spoken with Dennis Nottingham and explained the Harbor Commission had reviewed the drawings and were pleased with them. The project was also mentioned at the council meeting. Kornelis reported he asked Nottingham to continue with the project and informed him the Commission was looking forward to seeing the reports and cost estimates. He also asked Nottingham for some funding ideas. Nottingham indicated he was looking to the state for funding similar to that used to build the coastal trail in Anchorage. Kornelis continued, stating he reported to Nottingham the Harbor Commission also discussed joining this coastal trail with another trail to meet somewhere near the Senior Center. Nottingham indicated it was a great idea and suggested Kornelis speak with AK Dept. of Fish & Game. Kornelis spoke with the department and they thought it was a great idea as well. The Commission continued with general discussion regarding the tie-in path, its connection to Old Towne, private property issues along the bluff, and other potential funding. Discussion ended with Eldridge suggesting the estimates be requested as soon as possible so the Harbor Commission could approve it and send it with Mayor Williams to hand deliver to area legislators and senators. NEW BUSINF~S COMMISSIONERS~ COMMENTS / QUESTIONS Councilman Bookey reported Bill Frazer was appointed to the vacant Council position. KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING February 8, 1999 Page 4 9. INFORMATION a, b, Kenai City Council Action Agendas of January 20 and February 3, 1999 1 / 6 / 99 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge letter regarding Boardwalk Extension Assistance. 10. ADJOURNMENT ELDRIDGE MOVED TO ADJOURN. MOTION SECONDED BY CLAY. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Victoria Askin Contract Secretary KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING February 8, 1999 Page 5